Originally posted by RealAlHazred:
I started to put this together during the campaign, but unfortunately it never really gelled until afterward. My group never really interacted with Silvershield, so it wouldn't have come up. Still someone else might make use of it.
Much like my previous entries, it makes use of a character from a previous D&D Encounters season, namely
Barcero, one of the antagonists from
Search for the Diamond Staff (season 14). I won't provide my will-o'-wisp stats, since they are easily replicated by reference to the 2E and 3E versions, and they've been superceded by the will-o'-wisp from the bestiary of season 18,
Dead in Thay.
An Envoy from the Shadows
As one of the Council of Four, Lord Silver-shield is sometimes called upon to act as host for emissaries from other countries. This is a duty that carries the opportunity for enormous profits, both material and political.
A Sembian mage named
Barcero has come to Baldur’s Gate in order to look into hiring Flaming Fists mercenaries for his many tasks. Barcero is a portly but well-dressed human, who prefers to remain in safety while sending his mercenaries to do his dirty work. Recently, he was betrayed by a Zhentarim mercenary unit that he had used for years, so he feels the need to diversify his agents.
Lord Silvershield has received a message from Barcero’s rivals in Sembia that, if something were to happen to the mage, there would be a profit in it. Duke Torlin can’t do anything directly since Barcero represents the Shadovar, who would make powerful enemies. Instead, he asks the heroes to escort Barcero; then, as an aside, he mentions that he suspects the wizard of evil intentions in the city, and asks that the heroes keep an eye on the wizard and take appropriate steps if they see him cross the line.
Silvershield had previously mentioned to Barcero that the founders of Baldur’s Gate were interred with many prizes from other lands, including supposedly tomes of Netherese lore and magic treasures from the Shadowfell. Silvershield expects that the temptation to try to loot some of these items from the tombs of revered heroes of the past will prove impossible for Barcero to resist.
Barcero proves to be at least an entertaining conversationalist, and several days pass without issue; the party meets Barcero at his inn (the Blade and Stars), escorts him to businesses in the Upper, Lower, and Outer City where he speaks to the proprietors, and provide local color commentary when he chooses to see a local landmark.
After parting from the player group one evening, Barcero goes to his rooms, dons a (fairly unskilled) disguise, and dimension doors to an alley nearby. From there, he makes his way to the waterfront, where he boards a rowboat crewed by two tough thugs who were recommended to him. The boat makes its way across the harbor toward Tumbledown, where Barcero intends to search the Szarr family crypts (location 90). He has become intrigued by Lord Silvershield’s carefully planted rumors and local lore regarding red and green lights seen there some nights (scenario book page 61).
Silvershield, not one to put all his eggs in one basket, has also alerted the Flaming Fists, who have sent a patrol of six
Flaming Fist privates and a
Flaming Fist sergeant to keep an eye on the cemetery.
In the crypt, a
will-o’-wisp lies in wait, having been stirred to activity by the events of the “Planted Evidence” stage (see the official events supplement).
KEEPING TRACK
Silvershield gains one rank on Bhaal’s Favor Track if the players fail to prevent Barcero’s death.
.
